Rainforest Alliance Coffee, Keeping It Green One Cup at a Time

The Rainforest Alliance has been around for over 20 years, and its goal is to educate the public in an attempt to change the way that business is conducted while encouraging people to take part in sustainable living.

When it comes to the tropical farms that produce crops, such as coffee, this organization has a strict set of guidelines for certification with the alliance. There are specific regulations set in place regarding any sort of use of chemicals that could be harmful. This is not only beneficial to the environment, but it is also beneficial to the safety of the workers involved in the process.

This alliance also aims to improve the tourism businesses throughout Latin America in regards to their environmental sustainability. They use educational programs in addition to various types of training along with continuously promoting their current initiatives.
They want to keep the forests alive, and they believe that this can best be done by helping to ensure that businesses will continue to profit from doing things this way. They try to help businesses meet certain environmental standards, and then they help to introduce these businesses to customers that are environmentally conscious. Such customers will look for the official seal that shows that the products are approved by the Rainforest Alliance Coffee organization. This is a mutually beneficial situation, because the businesses will gain access to a whole new group of customers, and the environment as well as small farmers will benefit from their newly implemented practices.

Through this alliance, businesses have become more socially and environmentally responsible, and this is something that is of growing importance. The alliance requires that a business achieves at least 50% of the requirements within specific areas, and 80% compliance overall before they can become certified. In addition to an ecosystem conservation program, they also have programs for the protection of waterways and wild animals as well.

Their efforts extend to the workplace in a sense that they have strict guidelines prohibiting discrimination not only in the work environment, but also in their hiring practices. Children under the age of 15 are not allowed to be hired, and workers must always wear protective gear.

The only way that a business can use the official seal on its products is if they have managed to meet all of these strict guidelines. Consumers find this seal to be highly valuable, and when they see it they trust that the product that is marked with it can be purchased in good conscience.

They also have a program called Adopt-A-Rainforest. This allows both school groups and individuals to give donations that will help the conservation of rainforests. The alliance has a specific website that is designed primarily for taking such donations. The best part is that they give a thorough description regarding where the donations actually go. In addition to that, they offer the public various ideas for fundraising so that everyone has an opportunity to get involved.

By purchasing coffee with the official seal of certification from the Rainforest Alliance, you can do your part in making the world a place that is much more environmentally friendly.

Coastal Roasters is a micro-roaster of specialty fair trade, organic and Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee from around the world. For a unique coffee experience check out their online store with a Coffee of the Month Club featuring their award winning roasts.